JP5565703B2 - Unequal hardness hand grip - Google Patents

Description

  The present disclosure relates generally to grips, and more specifically to hand grips for sports equipment.

  Today, including but not limited to golf clubs, tools (hammer handles, screwdrivers, etc.), rackets (racquetball, squash, badminton or tennis racket), bats (baseball or softball), billiard cues, umbrellas, fishing rods, etc. There are many different types of grips used for a wide variety of items. While the specific description for the disclosure of the present invention has been made with respect to an application to a golf club grip, it is clear that the disclosure of the present invention can be applied to other grips as well.

  Slip-on golf club grips made of molded rubber materials or synthetic polymer materials are well known and widely used in the golf industry. The term “slip-on” is used herein to refer to a type of grip that is slid over a shaft or handle and secured by an adhesive. Slip-on grips are applicable to many designs, shapes and structures.

  Golf club grips have historically been made from a wide variety of materials, such as leather wrapped directly around the handle, or a sleeve slipped on the handle or leather wrapped around the substrate, or more recently, Rubber, polyurethane or other synthetic elastomer materials are used. Efforts continue to improve grip grip quality without sacrificing grip torsional resistance on the handle or club. So-called dual durometer grips, which are grips applied with two layers of different materials with varying hardness in order to provide a grip that has a good grip feel and good swing performance. Is very interested in

US Pat. No. 6,656,054

  Although these dual durometer grips provide a good grip feel over the entire length of the grip, the user may want to further tailor the grip structure, as well as the grip hardness and position where the structure changes.

  For this reason, when the swing is started with the grip, in order to maximize the responsiveness and effectiveness, there is a display that allows the user to easily recognize the center of the grip balance position and the position where the hardness changes. However, there is still a need for a handgrip that provides a hardness region that varies throughout the grip.

  The present disclosure relates to a handgrip that is formed from a material that provides a change in hardness and specific gravity in selected sections of the grip, and that these sections have an indication that allows the user to easily identify the desired gripping area.

  A more specific feature of the present disclosure is directed to a golf club grip that is an elongated tubular body having a hollow core structured to slip on a golf club shaft. The main body of the golf grip has a proximal end portion at the upper end and a distal end portion that receives the golf club shaft on the opposite side of the proximal end portion. In selected areas of the body, it has at least three sections or zones with varying hardness values and specific gravity. These three sections include an upper section, a middle section, and a lower section, each section having a selected hardness and specific gravity, and a general for identifying each section to facilitate hand placement In particular, the display is a change in color.

  Various features of the novelty that characterize the disclosure of the invention are set forth by the appended claims, which form a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the present disclosure, its operational advantages and specific objectives achieved through its use are illustrated by the accompanying drawings and description of preferred embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of a golf club grip disposed in both open hands of a golfer. FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of a golf club grip showing a general position at the center of the grip balance position. FIG. 3 is a schematic front view similar to FIG. 2 showing the center of the balance position moved to the left, that is, the base end side of the grip. FIG. 4 is a schematic front view similar to FIGS. 2 and 3, showing the center of the balance position moved to the right, that is, the tip side of the grip. FIG. 5 is a schematic front view of a grip manufactured in accordance with the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a schematic front view similar to FIG. FIG. 7 is a schematic front view similar to FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG. 8 is a plan view of a plurality of strips used in a method of manufacturing a grip according to the present disclosure. FIG. 9 is an elevational view of a half of a compression mold used in a method of manufacturing a grip according to the present disclosure. FIG. 10 is an elevational view of a mandrel placed in the other half of the compression mold in accordance with the present disclosure.

  The present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments are described. However, the present disclosure may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein, which are not intended to be exhaustive of the disclosure. And is provided to fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art.

  Throughout this disclosure and the drawings, like numerals refer to like elements. In the drawings, the thickness, thickness or characteristics of particular lines, layers, components, elements may be exaggerated for clarity. Dashed lines indicate optional features or operations unless otherwise specified. The contents of all publications, patent applications, patents and references herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

  Although the disclosed embodiments of the present invention are particularly suitable for golf club grips and materials are specific to this, the disclosed embodiments of the present invention are also applicable to grips for other equipment. It is clear that

  Referring first to FIG. 1, a golf club grip 8 is shown in the open hands of a right-handed golfer. The term “right-handed” as used herein includes, but is not limited to, a hand used to throw, write, or swing a racket, bat or golf club. It is meant to mean those who use the right hand as the hand to choose. The term “left-handed” is used herein to mean performing these types of activities with the opposite hand.

  The golf club grip 8 has a structure that includes an elastomeric hollow tubular body 10 having a proximal end 12 and a distal end 14. The open left hand 16 of the golfer is disposed on the proximal end portion 12 side of the grip 8, and the opened right hand 18 is disposed on the distal end portion 14 of the grip 8, that is, on the open end portion side. As is well known and optional for golfers, a pair of fingers may be combined (a little finger 18d on the right hand is combined with an index finger on the left hand 16) when forming a closed grip on the golf club. Further, both hands 16 and 18 may be slightly rotated in the circumferential direction of the grip, that is, around the axis because of “three knuckle power, that is, strong position” described in Patent Document 1.

  The arrow 20 on the left hand 16 indicates the proximal end of the grip when moving the left hand 16 in the axial direction of the grip 8 when sensing or looking for an optimal or appropriate position with respect to the golfer with the left hand 16 on the grip 8. The direction toward 12 is shown. Similarly, the arrow 22 indicates the direction toward the tip of the grip 8 when the right hand 18 is moved in the axial direction of the grip 8 when searching for an optimal or appropriate position with respect to the golfer's right hand 18. Of course, the position of each individual best hand varies with various golf conditions such as each golfer and the weather and golf course. Other factors include, but are not limited to, grip feel, golf club, shaft composition, club head mass, and even the size of the golfer's hand. Of course, for left-handed, the arrangement of the left and right hands 16, 18 is opposite to that for right-handed. The position of the hand on the golf grip is one important factor in the golf swing. The position of the hand affects the flight distance and direction of the golf ball.

  Equally important is the placement of both hands at or near the center of the grip balance, i.e. the position of the grip fulcrum. It is desirable to be able to quickly find the balance position, ie the fulcrum position of the grip. The term "fulcrum" position is used here as, but not limited to, the center of grip balance, ie the center of rotation of the grip.

  The present disclosure has an innovative design that can adjust the fulcrum position defined by calculating the volume of each section of the grip and the specific gravity of the section. The fulcrum is moved to the proximal end of the grip by the higher specific gravity upper section, and vice versa. The display is an important guide for the golfer to easily position the fulcrum. These indicators in accordance with the disclosed subject matter are described more fully below.

  Another important factor in a golf swing is the ability to obtain a proper grip feel. The grips should provide the user with the proper hardness or softness of the grip at those locations, i.e. make the user aware of their location by the most comfortable grip feel. The subject of the present disclosure is to provide the ability for the user to visually recognize their position and to allow the golfer to quickly select the most comfortable grip feel and hand placement relative to the center of grip balance. is there.

  The center of balance of a golf club is very important in maintaining swing control and thus the distance and accuracy of the ball. Since the grip is the majority of the mass at the top end of the shaft of the golf club, it is naturally possible to use that portion of the club to provide a variable characteristic of the balance of the entire club. By providing a grip with a "base end weighting", i.e., more specifically, a controlled variable range of grip weight balance, the club will be optimized and provide a fully balanced system. Can be tailored to. The grip described in the present disclosure allows for flexibility in the design of the grip structure according to customer requirements, which is described more fully herein.

FIG. 2 shows a standard sized and sized golf grip 8 with the general balance center position indicated by a dashed arrow 24 extending across the grip as a landmark. If the distance (d2) from the base end portion 12 of the grip 8 to the balance center position 24 is actually measured, it will be in the range of about 3 to 4 inches. The present disclosure discloses that the balance center position 24 is either a new left balance center position 26 near the proximal end 12 shown in FIG. 3 or an alternative new right balance center position 28 shown in FIG. A method of selective movement has been found, and FIG. 3 shows the distance (d3) from the proximal end 12 together with a broken line indicating the previous balance center and a broken line arrow indicating movement of the balance center 24 to the left. FIG. 4 shows a distance (d4) from the base end portion 12 together with a broken line indicating the previous balance center, and a broken-line arrow indicating the displacement to the right. The left balance position 26 can have a distance d3 from the grip proximal end 12 in the range of about 2 to about 3 inches. The right balance position 28 may have a distance d4 from the proximal end 12 of the grip in the range of about 4 to about 5 inches.

  In order to move the balance center 24 to the left balance center position 26 of the grip 30 in accordance with the present disclosure, the upper region section or zone 32 of the grip 30 is about 0.8 to about 2 as best shown in FIG. Manufactured from an elastomeric material having a large specific gravity in the range of 0.0 and a durometer value in the range of about 40 to about 60 at Shore A. The durometer value or range is an international standard for measuring the hardness of rubber, plastic and other non-metallic materials. The durometer is described in American Society for Testing and Materials Standard ASTM D2240. Section 32 extends from the edge of proximal end 12 of grip 30 toward tip 14 by a distance (d5), which ranges from about 2 inches to about 5 inches from cap 12. A broken line 34 represents the boundary of the section 32. The broken line 34 is shown as a straight line as a boundary line that crosses the circumference of the grip 30, but the broken line 34 indicating the end of the section 32 does not have to be a straight line, but is a curved line or a wavy line, or a golfer's hand. Obviously, the shape can also correspond to the selected finger.

  In a preferred embodiment, the dashed line 34 curves towards the front tip 14 of the grip, but on the other hand curves towards the proximal end 12. The upper section 32 can change the surface area and / or the volume or the depth of the material that makes the region, like the other sections. In one embodiment of manufacturing the grip 30, the entire tubular portion of the section 32 is preferably made of a material having a high specific gravity. The specific gravity of the material is preferably about 1.08 in section 32, but can range from about 0.8 to about 2.0, more preferably from about 0.96 to about 2.0. It is a range. The upper section 32 is selectively designated with a color or tone that identifies itself, which may be any color including black. If desired or required, a corrugated material may be used to further enhance the grip of the upper section 32.

  In the grip 30, the upper section 32 is immediately adjacent to an intermediate region, section or zone 36. The middle section 36 employs an elastomer having a specific gravity and durometer value that is different from the elastomeric material used for the upper section 32. The material used for the middle section 36 has a durometer value in the range of about 40 to about 60 for Shore A, and more preferably about 40 to about 55 for Shore A. The specific gravity of the material used here is about 0.6 to about 1.0, or more preferably about 0.65 to about 0.95. The middle section 36 extends a distance of about 2.0 inches (d6) between the dashed boundaries 34, 38, as shown in FIG. As described above with respect to the broken line 34, the same is true for the broken line 38, which is depicted as a straight line extending around the circumference of the grip 30, but the broken line 38 is curved in either direction or wavy. It is good.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the lower or lower section or zone 40 extends from the dashed line 38 to the tip 18 adjacent the middle section 36 by a distance (d7) of about 2 to about 5 inches. This lower section is preferably made of a material having a durometer value in the range of about 40 to about 60 on Shore A, and more preferably in the range of about 40 to about 55 on Shore A. The lower section is made of a material having a specific gravity in the range of about 0.6 to about 1.0, or more preferably in the range of about 0.65 to about 0.95.

  For purposes of explanation in order to better understand the disclosed subject matter, a typical golf club grip weighs about 48 grams (g) and has a length of about 272 millimeters (mm). This has a specific gravity of about 1.02 at durometer value of about 48 on Shore A. As shown in FIG. 2, the fulcrum position 24 is at a distance (d2) of about 96 mm as measured from the proximal end 12. As shown in FIG. 3, the weight balanced grip requiring the fulcrum 26 still has a weight of about 48 g and a length of about 272 mm. Upper section 32 has a durometer value of 48 at Shore A and a specific gravity of about 1.08. The middle section 36 has a specific gravity of about 0.87 and a durometer value of about 43 at Shore A. Lower section 40 has a durometer value of about 43 at Shore A. As shown in FIG. 3, in this weight-balanced grip, the fulcrum position 26 is located at a distance (d3) or 88 mm from the proximal end 12.

  When these three sections 32, 36, 40 are made of a material having the durometer value and specific gravity described above, the center or fulcrum position of the balance is shown in FIG. 3, and as described above in the illustrated example, Move to. Further, according to the disclosure of the present invention, the position of the center of the balance can be advantageously moved to the right by changing the specific gravity as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, a material having a large specific gravity is used for the lower section 40 instead of the upper section 32 to move the balance center position to the right.

In addition, the illustrated example provides the following table, where the specific gravity is abbreviated as “spg” and the molding process is described in either “compression” or “injection” molding. The design for manufacturing a grip whose fulcrum position is close to the lower section 40 is shown below (case 1).

  For each section, compound properties, specific gravity, hardness, feel and color can be adjusted during the design production.

The specific gravity distribution matrix that can be selected includes, but is not limited to, the following (H: high specific gravity; L: constant specific gravity).

  In this way, a grip according to the present disclosure can be custom designed to move the center of the balance position in either direction of the grip to meet the golfer's requirements.

  The sections of the grip 30 are advantageously color coded as a visual indication so that the golfer can see where different materials are located on the grip 30. These color displays may be simple monochromatic hue changes, or alternatively a plurality of different colors or color patterns and color arrangements. Also, these indications in the upper, middle and lower sections are identified here as patterns that are identifiable by simply obtaining a grip feel, referred to herein as “indication by touch” relative to the “visual indication” described above. , Undulations or ridges on the outer surface, or touch on the outer surface). Although the present disclosure has shown three different sections in the grip 30, it will be apparent that more than four different sections may be employed in the grip.

  A grip according to the present invention is preferably compression molded using at least three materials that vary in specific gravity and hardness in the structure described above. For the upper section 32, the middle section 36 and the lower section 40, at least three pieces of material 42, 44, 46 made with the desired specific gravity and hardness values are used. The pieces of material 42, 44, 46 are placed in the slots 48 of each half mold 50, 52 that make up the compression mold shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 in an arrangement corresponding to the selected desired arrangement of the finished grips. In order to place the desired material, the ends are placed in the compression slots 48 of both halves 50, 52 so that the ends overlap equally. To unite or join the sections, section overlap is provided, or additional material is added to join the sections together. A mandrel 54 is disposed on the half mold 52 to facilitate molding of a hollow tubular grip within the half mold 50, 52, and an elastomeric end material for molding the proximal end 12 and the distal end 14. Facilitates molding. These compression mold halves 50, 52 are heated to a temperature that is clamped together and integrally joined to the hollow shape of the golf grip 30 completed by vulcanizing the pieces of material, as is known in the art. The

  Suitable materials for the piece of material can include synthetic or natural rubber compounds, thermoplastic materials, other elastomers, polyurethane, silicone, or combinations thereof. Examples of suitable rubber compound compositions include, by weight, 73% polymer; 20 percent filler; 5% process acid; 2% curing agent.

  Golf clubs according to embodiments of the present disclosure can be designed for virtually any type of golf club, i.e., so-called "swing grips" such as putters and irons and wood. These grips are designed according to customer requirements for specific types of hardness and placement of hardness values, as well as colored visual displays, or alternative tactile displays. The center of grip balance can be adjusted as described above and tailored to customer requirements.

  The above are illustrative of the disclosure of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting thereof. Although few exemplary embodiments in the present disclosure have been described, those skilled in the art will recognize in these exemplary embodiments without substantially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the present disclosure. It will be readily appreciated that many modifications are possible. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure as defined in the claims. The disclosure of the present invention is defined by the appended claims, and equivalents of the claims are included in the claims.

Claims (2)

A cylindrical body configured to slip on a handle, the body having a hollow core having a proximal end at one end and an open end at the other end, the body comprising at least three different sections And the upper section, the middle section and the lower section have at least two different hardness values and specific gravities, and each of the sections comprises: A display for identifying the at least three sections, the at least three sections having a predetermined specific gravity for each section and for an instrument that defines a center of an adjustable balance position of the grip . A grip,
The material of the upper section has a specific gravity in the range of 0.8 to 2.0, the material of the middle section has a specific gravity in the range of 0.6 to 1.4, and the lower section The material has a specific gravity in the range of 0.6 to 1.4, whereby the specific gravity of the upper section is greater than the specific gravity of the middle and lower sections, so that the center of the balance position of the grip is A grip for an instrument, wherein the grip is moved toward a base end side of the grip. A cylindrical body configured to slip on a handle, the body having a hollow core having a proximal end at one end and an open end at the other end, the body comprising at least three different sections And the upper section, the middle section and the lower section have at least two different hardness values and specific gravities, and each of the sections comprises: A display for identifying the at least three sections, the at least three sections having a predetermined specific gravity for each section and for an instrument that defines a center of an adjustable balance position of the grip . A grip,
The material of the upper section has a specific gravity in the range of 0.6 to 1.4, the material of the middle section has a specific gravity in the range of 0.6 to 1.4, and The material of the lower section has a specific gravity in the range of 0.8 to 2.0, so that the specific gravity of the lower section is greater than the specific gravity of the middle and upper sections, so that the balance position of the grip is A grip for an instrument, characterized in that the center moves to the opening end side of the grip.

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